Merrimack Upsets No. 7 LIU Post as McDonnell Scores Twice

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women’s soccer freshman Izzy McDonnell (Fall River, Mass.) made her first start in her college career and she made it count. She helped guide the Warriors to a 2-0 upset over No. 7 LIU Post on Saturday night at Martone-Mejail Field. It was the second nationally ranked team Merrimack had faced this season.

After three straight corners for the Pioneers, the game shifted momentum. Merrimack had six shots over the several minutes, including two that just went high over the net.

McDonnell was able to break through on a run down the left side of the field. She cut towards the middle of the box and fired a shot to the low right corner to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.

McDonnell looked to extend lead on a break, as Hillevi Eklow had to come at the six-yard line to push the shot away in 51st minute.

The Pioneers had five shots between the 57th and 60th minute, two of them saved by senior keeper Molly Meehan (Fairfield, Conn.).

Meehan came up huge on another save in the 68th minute on a shot by Gabrielle Clark to keep it 1-0. The defense also helped by blocking back-to-back shots with 20 minutes left in regulation.

The Warriors went up 2-0 on McDonnell’s second goal of the contest in the 80th minute. Senior Jorgi Adee (Whitinsville, Mass.) took a shot from 25 yards out. Eklow saved the initial shot, but the ball slipped out and McDonnell was there to clean up the rebound.

The Pioneers pressured late, but the Warrior defense held up in the final moments.

Inside The Numbers

The Warriors are now 9-3-0 against LIU Post all time, with their last win coming at home on Sept. 9, 2015.

McDonnell now leads the team with six points, after picking up her third goal of her career.

Mike McMahon is in his 12th year covering Merrimack College for The Eagle Tribune and is the founder and managing editor of The Mack Report. Mike also serves on staff as a senior writer at College Hockey News. Follow him on Twitter @MikeMcMahonCHN